30th July to 2nd August 1833

Patagones on the Rio Negro
Light contrary winds, interrupted by a few breezes: the whole passage a very tedious one; the ship being on a wind nearly all the time.

25th to 29th July 1833

Patagones on the Rio Negro
Our regular fortune followed us in the form of a sharp gale of wind. It soon lulled but for two or three days a nasty head swell remained, which sadly hindered our progress. The object of this cruise is to survey some of the outer banks near the R. Negro & Bahia Bianca & likewise to pick up Mr Stokes & his party, who have been so laboriously employed with the little Schooners.

Captain Fitzroy’s Journal:

On the 24th we sailed to Cape San Antonio, and thence along the coast, close by Cape Corrientes, and skirting the San Blas banks, till we anchored off the river Negro.

Syms Covington’s Journal:
Men were hired from Monte Video and the ship (The Beagle) sailed from here July 24th.

23rd & 24th July 1833

Maldonado
In the evening of the 24th, after it was dark, we got under weigh & started on our cruise to the Rio Negro. The whole sky was brilliant with lightning; it was a wild looking night to go to sea, but time is too precious to lose even a bad portion of it.

21st - 22nd July 1833

Maldonado
Gained the harbour of Maldonado, the weather being very light & hazy detained us. We had a strong instance of the dangerous navigation of the Plata; having good Latitude observations & having only left port for two days we were nearly 40 miles out of our reckoning. This was entirely owing to a strong current, of which there was no means of previously ascertaining the existence.

20th July 1933

Maldonado
At noon a boat was lowered with the letters &c & my collections & taken on board the Packet; we then parted company; & are now sailing back for Maldonado.

19th July 1833

Maldonado
A calm & heavy fog, we were obliged occasionally to signal by guns.

18th July 1833

Maldonado
At night the Packet fired guns to tell us she was on her way to Rio: This caused a scene of animation & bustle; for immediately orders were given "hands unmoor ship". The Captain, having letters of importance, determined to stand out after her. We were soon under weigh, & joining the Packet hailed her that we would keep company for a few days.

Captain Fitzroy’s Journal:

On the 18th, my survey work being finished, and our help no longer required at Gorriti, we sailed to sound eastward in the latitude of the English Bank, and then returned to make a few arrangements with Lieutenant Wickham, and obtain observations for the chronometers, previous to making an excursion towards the south.

15th to 17th July 1833

Maldonado
The Schooners name has been changed into that of "Adventure", in commemoration of the Corvette employed in the former voyage with the Beagle, & likewise as being the name of one of Captain Cooks ships & therefore classical to all Surveying vessels.

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All hands have been employed in getting her masts in & bringing on board her iron ballast. There is a curious little history attached to this ballast. The old Adventure having too much buried 30 tons in the Island of Guritti. The Brazilians when they were in possession, had heard of it & made great efforts to find the spot. The sepulcre was close to the well; so public a place having been chosen quite baffled the Brazilians; So that the ballast remained to be very serviceable to the young Adventure.

14th July 1933

Maldonado
Enjoyed the rarity of clear, cloudless sky; the weather is cold; in the morning on shore there was some hoar frost.

11th to 13th July 1833

Montevideo
Spent the greater part of these days in the city, transacting business. After dinner on the 13th sailed for Maldonado; arrived there at 11 at night, making a good passage.

10th July 1833

Montevideo
So much wind & rain, could not go on shore. The climate here is detestable; one feels it the more from the exposed anchorage where, we are pitching amongst the hillocks of muddy water. I must say I like extremes in climate. For the last year the summer of Tierra del F & the winter of the Rio Plata, the weather to us have been much the same. Constant gloomy sky, with much wind & rain, & the temperature raw & cold, but never sufficiently so to dry the atmosphere. My heart has revelled with delight to hear the orders for getting 12 months provisions ready for our next visit.

9th July 1833

Montevideo
A fine breeze carried us into the harbour of M: Video by seven oclock. The same wind brought a packet; with a letter for me dated May. After breakfast went on shore, to purchase numberless little &cs &cs. M: Video has an air of great wealth & business, after the forlorn deserted streets of Maldonado.

8th July 1833

Maldonado
It was discovered to day that one of the Mates, belonging to the Unicorn, had formerly been in the President, a vessel supposed to be piratical & which brought the English man of war, the Black Joke, to action. It has, since the Trial, been suspected that this same ship took & murdered every soul on board the Packet Redpole. Captain FitzRoy has determined to take the man a prisoner, to the Consul at M. Video. I have just been astonished to hear the order, "to reeve the running rigging, & bend sails". And we now a little before 12 at night have weighed anchor & are under sail.

Captain Fitzroy’s Journal:
On the 8th of July the Beagle sailed from Maldonado, and anchored off Monte Video for a few days, waiting for the arrival of a packet from England. Directly the letters were received she returned to Maldonado.

3rd to 7th July 1833

Maldonado
All hands of the Beagle continue to be employed in working at the Schooner (for the future the Unicorn). My occupations likewise are the same & I do not stir out of the Ship.